Solenoid controlled taping machine



Aug.` 21, 1951 c. HEss SOLENOID CONTROLLED TAPING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 20, 1947 INVENTOR.

CHARLES HESS ATTORNEYS Aug. 21, 195! c. HEss 2,564,901

SOLENOID CONTROLLED TAPING MACHINE IN VEN TOR. (.HARL ES HESS A 7' TURA/EVS Aug. 21, 1951 c. HEss 2,564,901

SOLENOID CONTROLLED TAPING MACHINE Filed Nov. 20, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 2F; 25 307 2C Z D OPEN INVENTOR.

BY CHARLES H555 ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 21., 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE l Claims.

My present invention relates to taping machines and more particularly to a taping machine adapted to tape the seam of folded corrugated board or other nbre board boxes passed therethrough preferably by means of taping operations initiated by the passage of the box through the apparatus.

More particularly my invention relates to a taping machine of the general type disclosed in Patent No. 2,467,275 issued April 12, 1949, wherein, however, switching means operated by the passage of the box through the machine initiates the tape feeding operation and performs the tape cutting operati-on.

In taping machines of this general type, it is necessary to feed out the tape to a position where it may be pressed down at the leading edge of the seam. Thereafter the box as it moves through the machine pulls out the tape; at the conclusion of the taping operation when the trailing end of the seam is reached, it is necessary to cut off the tape so that the trailing end of the tape will coincide with the trailing endI of the seam.

Various mechanical means have been utilized in order to accomplish these various operations, these means being primarily interconnected with the blank feeding elements in order to produce appropriately phased. operations.

Attempts have also been made to initiate the taping cycle by a switch having an operating arm operated by the box as it moves through the machine but no means have been provided for terminating the tape feeding cycle at any particular desired' adjustable point or for obtaining the tape cutting operation by means originally initiated by switching apparatus.

The primary object of my present invention, therefore, is the provision of electromechanical means for applying the tape and cutting on the tape at the proper point as a folded box moves through the taping machine.

Another object of my invention is the provision of novel means for utilizing the movement of the box through the machine not only for initiating the tape feeding operation but also for initiating the tape cutting operation.

Another object of my invention is the provision of n-ovel means in addition to the foregoing and dependent on the movement of the box through the taping machine for controlling the length of the tape feeding operation.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of novel means dependent on the movement of the box through the taping machine for initiating and controlling the tape feeding op- Z eration and for cutting off the tape at the proper point, all of the said means being readily ad- .instable in accordance with the length of the seam to be taped.

The foregoing and many other objects of my invention will become apparent in the following description and drawings in which Figure l is a schematic View in perspective iliustrating my invention.

Figure 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating my invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective showing the means for adjusting the switch elements of my invention.

Figure 4 is a combination schematic View and circuit diagram' illustrating a modified and preferred form of my invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective showing the means for making fine adjustments of the switch elements of my invention.

Referring now to Figure 1, the folded blank l@ is fed forward in any suitable manner as by the feed rolls iii controlled by the front slats I5 on the moving chain IB, the said feeding means being generally in accordance with that set forth in application Serial No. 633,008.

Each folded blank lil comprises essentially a tubular box having panels l?, and i9 which have been folded down around the fold lines 2Q, 2| with the edges of the panels i3 and i9 meeting to form the seam 23. v

My device is designed to apply a length of tape 3l to the seam 23 in order to finish the tubular box.

The supply roll Ei! for the tape 3l and the tape feeding arrangement l l is that specifically shown in application Serial N o. 659,636. The main drive shaft 96 (driven by chain it and sprocket 30) is connected by sprocket 52 and chain 53 to sprocket 5ft of shaft 55 which is the drive shaft for the tape feeder il. Drive shaft 55 is connected by universal joints 56 and 5l on either side of shaft 5S to the driven shaft 59 of driven pulley 6E). Driven shaft 59 of pulley Sti passes through an opening 62 in lever 63 which lever is pivoted on the stationary pivot 64.

Tape supply roll iii is mounted on shaft 65. The tape 3l which is pulled on the tape supply roll 5i? passes over` idler 6l and then down over the slack control idler E53 up over idler 69 and then down past guide roll l0 and over the water roll 5i. Slack control idler bis is mounted on the end of lever arm 'i5 which in turn has a collar 'I6 with an opening ll therein mounted over stud 65 for pivotal rotation thereabout. Collar 16 has 3 the short extension 8E) which is so arranged that it engages roller 8| at the end of lever S3 opposite the pivot 52.

When the slack control roller 68 is down in position shown in Figure 1, the lever 'i5 is also down as shown and extension Se thereof is in the up position lifting the roller 8|. This lifts the lever 63 about the pivot 66 and thus also lifts shaft 59 and driven pulley SS. As the tape 3| is drawn out the reduction of the slack loop 8d which thus occurs lifts the slack control roller E38 thus lifting the lever 75 and dropping down the extension 3Q. This causes roller 8| of lever 63 to drop down and thus causes the driven roller B to drop down on to the portion of the tape passing over idler 67.

Driven roller 6!) is continuously driven at higher peripheral speed than the required linear speed of tape 3|. Consequently contact of roller @il with the portion of tape 3| over idler 67 will pull off tape 3| from supply roll 50 at a faster rate than the tape 3| is pulled off by roller 32 or blank I3 of the taping machine, This will cause the slack loop 84 to be increased thus permitting the slack control roller 68 and its associated lever l5 to drop down. Consequently extension 8d of lever 'I5 'will rise lifting roller 8| and lever 63 thus lifting shaft 59 and the driven roller GS to the position shown in Figure l. Extension 8i) of lever f5 is actually, as shown, a sharp bump on collar e so that driven roll 6) will contact the tape at all positions of arm 'I5 except at the extreme lower position shown in Figure 1.

As soon as the slack tends to be used up once more, the tape feeder roll 68 again moves upwardly thereby causing the driven roller Si) to contact the portion of the tape 3| over idler 5i and draw off more slack. Again since the pem ripheral speed of roller S is higher than the linear speed required for tape 3|, any of the slack 84 which is used up by any taping operation will be immediately restored without excess tension on the tape.

-The taping machine will at all times only pull on the slack loop Sil Iwhich slack loop is conf' tinuously restored faster than the taping machine can pull the tape out and the length of slack loop 84 is controlled by reason of the fact that the roller 68 which creates the slack loop Sli is raised as soon as the slack loop is suilcient in length.

The tape 3| moves down under the guide roller 'Hi and over the moistener 5| to the tape feeding roll 32 which cooperates with the idler 32a. It is fed beneath the cutting knife Si] by the tape feeder 32 and on to the seam 23 of the box blank I0. The tape 3| is pressed down on the seam by the pressure roller `9| mounted on shaft 92, which shaft is driven from main drive shaft 96 by sprockets 95 and 93 and chain 94.

Heretofore many attempts have been made to simplify the operation of the tape feeding and tape cutting means. This has resulted in rather complex mechanical arrangements utilizing cams of various kinds to operate both the tape feeder and the tape cutter; and it was necessary to provide complex mechanical means for adjusting these cam arrangements to various sizes of boxes and for variations in the length of ap and the length of seam in the box.

My invention is directed specifically to simplified apparatus operated by the movement of the box itself for initiating the tape feeding and tape cutting operation. Primarily my invention utilizes electrically operated means for controlling both the tape feeding and tape cutting operations,

4 and, therefore, makes possible the use of simplified switching apparatus operated by the movement of the box itself to control these means.

The tape feeding roll 32 is operated from the main drive shaft 96 through clutch IE5 operated by solenoid HQ. This tape feeding roll is of the well-known ratchet type or overrunning clutch type described in application Serial No. 633,008 which roll is designed on rotation in a clockwise direction Iwith respect to Figure l, to pull out a length of tape, feeding it under the knife and under the pressure roller 9| until the leading edge of the length of tape is secured to the leading edge of the seam. At this time the box blank to which the leading edge of the tape is secured pulls out the tape past the roll 32, the ratchet or overrunning clutch arrangement in the roll 32 permitting this to occur.

Accordingly it is only necessary actually to feed out approximately 3 inches of tape irrespective of the length of the seam since after the leading edge of the tape has been applied to the box blank, the movement of the box blank serves to draw out the remaining tape needed for the seam.

In some cases and for specific operating reasons it may be necessary to vary the amount of tape actually fed out by operation of roll 32 in a clockwise direction.

Heretofore adjustments to obtain variations in the length of feed have required complex mechanical apparatus. My novel device requires merely the utilization of two switches A and B for this adjustment.

Heretofore also it has been necessary to provide mechanical means for operating the knife to cut the length of tape after it has been pulled out so that the length pulled out equals the length of the seam. My novel knife cutting operation requires merely the adjustment of a single unit containing a switch in order to operate the cutting knife at the appropriate time.

In adidtion, since the operation of the knife is electrical in my novel device, it is desirable that the mechanism for operating the knife be deenergized immediately after operation. For this purpose, instead of a single switch, two switches in series are used as hereinafter described in order to ensure that the knife operating mechanism is de-energized as soon as the cutting operation has taken place.

These switches need not be adjusted with respect to each other and thus may be moved simultaneously.

Heretofore in making adjustments of various kinds in prior taping machines to allow for the length of the flap in order that the tape may be applied at the proper point on the box at the beginning of the seam and in making adjustments for the length of feed-out of the tape and also in making adjustments of the knife cutting mechanism to cut the tape after an appropriate length has been fed out, it was necessary for the operator to adjust various parts of the mechanism at various points remote from each other.

My novel device makes it possible to place all of the adjustments at a. single location preierably at or adjacent the portion of the taping machine at which the tape is applied and cut oif.

Main drive shaft 96 drives roll 32 through the clutch by sprocket |532 connected to the driven element of clutch H35, chain |03, sprocket me which drives shaft it?, gears |68 and which drive shaft N34 which carries roll 32.

. Driving element |05a of clutch |65 has clevis 200 ',engaging in annular groove 20| thereof. Clevis 200 is mounted on rotatable shaft 202. When the shaft is rotated to the left, the clutch |05 is disengaged and roll 32 is not driven; when it is rotated to the right, the clutch is engaged and roll 32 is driven. j

A solenoid has an 'armature ||2 connected at ||2 by link 205 to crank 206 on shaft202. When the solenoid ||0 is energized to attract itsv armature ||2, it rotates the shaft 202 to engage clutch to drive sprocket |02 and hence to drive shaft |04 and feed-out roll 32. The length of tape is thus fed out until the solenoid ||0 is deA-energized and tension spring |09 pulls crank 206 and shaft 202 back to disengage clutch |05 and thus halts the operation of the shaft |04 and the feed-out roll 32.

Switches A and B are operated by the leading edge of the box blank I0 to control the operation of solenoid |0. Switch A is normally closed and switch B is normally open. Switch A is forward of the switch B so that it will be struck later by the leading edge of the box blank. Switches A and B are provided, respectively, with operators A and B which are pushed down by the leading edge of the box and held down by the undersurface of the box blank as it moves along.

Switch B is spaced forward of the tape feeding element by an amount equal to the length of ap of the box so that when the leading edge of the box closes switch B by pressing down the switch operator B', the leading end of the seam will be jus-t under the tape that is fed out. Switch A is spaced forward of switch B by an amount equal to the length of tape to be fed out. The closing of switch B actuates the solenoid to pull out latch |01 and thereby feed-out roller 32 to feed out tape;

As the box then moves along it opens switch A to deenergize the solenoid. Thus the spacing of switches A and B controls the length of tape to be fed out which preferably is of the order of three inches, the box then pulling out the remainder of the tape. Consequently switches A and B will ordinarily be adjusted simultaneously since usually the amount of tape to be fed out is constant irrespective of the length of the box. This is so because the box blank itself pulls out the remainder of the tape. Thus at the area at which tape is rst applied to the box, a platform |20 (Figures 1 and 3) is provided with two tracks |2| and |22. Track 2| carries the slide |24 which in turn is provided with track |25.

Swithces A and B are slidably mounted in track |25 in order to obtain the proper adjustment between switches A and B. Ordinarily switches A and B will not be slid with respect to each other in track |25 unless a change in the actual length of the original feed-out of the tape is required. But slide |24 will be moved back and forth in the track |2| whenever it is necessary to adjust the position of switch B for variations in the length of flap of successive sets of boxes. This makes it possible to adjust switches A and B simultaneously, maintaining the relationship between switches A and B, switch B being of course the controlling switch which must be accurately adjusted.

Track |22 provides an adjustment for the slide element |30 which carries switches C and D. Switches C and D need not be adjusted with respect to each other and accordingly are not adjustably mounted in the slide element |30 but are rigidly mounted therein.

Switch A is normally closed and switch B is normally open. These switches are in series with each other and with the tape feed-out solenoid. ||0, as well as with the source of current.

As seen in Figure 2,v the circuit for solenoid ||0 is from terminal |40, condutors |4|, |42, through switch B, conductor |43, through switch A, conductor |44, through the solenoid H0, con-Y ductors |45, |46, to terminal |41. With switch A normally closed and switch B normally open, then as the leading edge of the box blank reaches switch B it presses down switch operator B to close switch B. At this time the solenoid ||0 is energized and the tape feed-out roll 32 begins to operate as above described. The box blank in its forward movement now strikes switch operator A of switch A to open switch A while switch B is closed. This breaks the circuit to solenoid ||0 and halts the operation of the feedout roller 32.

Thereafter the box blank to which the leading edge of the tape has been secured pulls out the tape, the ratchet or over-running clutch arrangement in the feed-out roller 32 permitting this to occur.

The cutting knife is located at the lower end of the arm |50 which is rigidly secured at |5| to the level |52 which in turn is pivoted at the crossshaft |53. The opposite end of lever |52 is pivotally connected at |54 to the solenoid armature |55 of solenoid |56. When solenoid |56 is energized it attracts its armature |55 to cause lever |52 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction about its shaft |53 to cause arm |50 carrying cutting knife 00 to move down and cut the tape 3|.

Solenoid |56 is energized by the movement of the box blank in order to effect this cutting operation. This energization occurs when the box blank leaves the switch D. As the box blank moves along the path it rst strikes switch operator D of switch D and opens switch D; then it strikes operator C' of switch C and closes switch D. Switches C and D are in series with solenoid |56, the circuit therefor extending from terminal |40 and conductors |4| and |60 to switch D; then over conductor |62 to the solenoid |56 and then through conductors |63 and |45 to terminal |41.

Thus, before the box blank moves into position over switches C and D, the circuit for solenoid |56 is open at switch C. While the box blank is moving over switches C` and D, switch C is closed but switch D is open so that the circuit for solenoid 56 still remains open. When the box blank leaves switch D, then switch D closes, energizing solenoid |56 to operate the knife 00 to cutting position, switches C and D in series with solenoid |56 being closed at this time.

Immediately after this operation, the box blank leaves switch C permitting switch C to open and thus de-energizing the solenoid to permit knife blade 90 to be raised. An appropriate tension spring |10 may be provided connected to lever |52 to maintain knife 90 in raised position.

It will thus be seen that the switches A and B, mounted on the slide |24, and switches C and D, mounted in the block |30, may all be located in the same region or area at the point at which the tape is` first applied, therebysimplifying the adjustment operation.

These switches may be adjusted in accordance with the length of fiap so that the tape will be applied at the beginning of the seam and the tape 7 'Will be cut off to match the trailing end of the seam. The tape is first pressed down by the roller 9| and then further pressed down and smoothed by the pressure rollers 200, 200.

In Figure 4, I have shown a modified and preferred form of my invention in which the ratchet drive solenoid I Illa and the cutting solenoid |56a are continuosuly energized while the machine is operating and in which the solenoids are de-energized during the feed-out stroke and the cutting stroke, respectively, to permit spring I09a to effect the closing of clutch |05 to feed out the tape and to permit spring |'|0a to perform the cutting operation.

Solenoid ||0a is energized from terminals 2de over conductors 30|, 302 normally closed switch 2|3, conductors 303 and 304 to solenoid Ha and conductors 305 and 305 to terminal 241. When the blank advances it rst opens the switch 2B. This de-energizes solenoid ||0a to permit spring |09a to rotate shaft 202a to close the clutch |05.

When the leading edge of the blank strikes switch 2A, it closes a circuit parallelling switch 2B to re-energize the solenoid. The solenoid ||0a remains energized while the blank passes over switch 2A. But before the blank leaves switch 2A, it rst leaves switch 2B permitting it to close so that solenoid Illia remains energized. The solenoid ||0a is thus de-energized only while the leading edge of the blank passes from switch 2B to switch 2A. The distance between these two switches thus determines the length of the tape feed-out.

Similarly, solenoid Ia is energized from terminal 240, conductors 30|, 30?, closed, switch 2C, conductors 308, 309, solenoid |58a, conductors 3|0, 306 to terminal 24|?. Switch 2D parallels switch 2C and is normally open. The blank closes switch 2D to maintain solenoid |5611 energized while the blank continues to open switch 2C. When the trailing edge of the blank leaves switch 2D, this switch opens and the solenoid remains de-energized until switch 2C closes when the blank leaves this switch. The cut occurs when switch 2D is opened. by the trailing edge of the blank. When solenoid |56a is de-energized, spring |100, on the knife side of pin |53 effects the cut.

In Figure 5, I have shown the application of a running adjustment for the positions of the switches of Figures l or 4. Switches A and B slidable in block |2| ride in rail i300. Nut G2 in block |2| receives the screw i013. Rotation of screw 404 shifts the switches A and B or 2A and 2B longitudinally. block |22 ride in rail 40|. Nut |53 on block |22 receives screw 405. Rotation of this screw shifts switches C and D. Screws 404 and 405 extend to the delivery end of the machine where the inspeetor stands. The inspector may adiust switches A and B by rotating screw 40@ when the leading edge of the tape does not register accurately with the leading edge of the seam. He adjusts switches C and D by rotating screw 405 when the trailing edge of the tape does not register accurately with the trailing end of the seam.

In the foregoing, I have described my invention solely in connection with specific illustrative embodiments thereof. Since many variations and modifications of my invention will now be obvious to those skilled in the art, I prefer to be bound not by the specinc disclosures herein contained but only by the appended claims.

I Claim:

normally 5 Also switches C and D on 1. In a taping machine for applying tape to the seam of a folded box blank, means for moving the box blank through the machine, tape feeding and applying apparatus for applying the leading edge of the tape to the leading edge of the seam, tape cutting apparatus for cutting the tape after a length thereof equal to the length of the seam has been drawn from the tape feeding and applying apparatus; said tape feeding and applying apparatus and said tape cutting apparatus being electrically controlled; first switch means operable by the passage of the box blank leading edge through the machine for successively energizing and de-energizing a irst solenoid, the armature of said first solenoid controlling the operation of said tape feeding and applying apparatus and independent second switch means directly operable by the passage of the box blank through the machine for successively energizing and deenergizing a second solenoid, the armature of said second solenoid controlling the operation of said tape cutting apparatus; said rst switch means comprising a pair of switches in series and operating members therefor, said operating members being aligned longitudinally and positioned to be moved by the leading edge of the box blank, the switch first operated by the leading edge of the box blank being normally open and the switch operated next by the leading edge of the box blank being normally closed; the first operated switch being closed by the leading edge of the box blank and remaining closed as the box blank moves thereover and the second operated switch being opened by the leading edge of the box blank and remaining open while the box blank moves thereover; the tape feeding and applying apparatus being energized while the leading edge of the box blank moves from the operating member for the first switch to the operating member for the second switch.

2. In a taping machine for applying tape to the seam of a folded box blank, means for moving the box blank through the machine, tape feeding and applying apparatus for applying the leading edge of the tape to the leading edge of the seam, tape cutting apparatus for cutting the tape after a length thereof equal to the length of the seam has been drawn from the tape feeding and applying apparatus; said tape feeding and applying apparatus being electrically controlled; switch means operable by the passage of the box blank through the machine for successively energizing and de-energizing a first solenoid, the armature of said first solenoid controlling the operation of said tape feeding and applying apparatus; said switch means comprising a pair of switches in series and operating members therefor, said operating members being aligned longitudinally and positioned to be moved by the leading edge of the box blank, the switch first operated by the leading edge of the box blank being normally open and the switch operated next by the leading edge of the box blank being normally closed; the first operated switch being closed by the leading edge of the box blank and remaining closed as the box blank moves thereover and the second operated switch being opened by the leading edge of the box blank and remaining open while the box blank moves tliereover; the tape feeding and applying apparatus being energized while the leading edge of the box blank moves from the operating inember for the first switch to the operating member for the second switch.

3. In a taping machine for appplying tape to the seam of a folded box blank, means for moving the box blank through the machine, tape feeding and applying apparatus for applying the leading edge of the tape to the leading edge of the seam, tape cutting apparatus for cutting the tape after a length thereof equal to the length of the seam has been drawn from the tape feeding and applying apparatus; said tape feeding and applying apparatus being electrically controlled; switch means operable by the passage of the box blank through the machine for successively energizing and de-energizing a first solenoid, the armature of said first solenoid controlling the operation of said tape feeding and applying apparatus; said switch means comprising a pair of switches in series and operating members therefor, said operating members being aligned longitudinally and positioned to be moved by the leading edge of the box blank, the switch first operated by the leading edge of the box blank being normally open and the switch operated next by the leading edge of the box blank being normally closed; the rst operated switch being closed by the leading edge of the box blank and remaining closed as the box blank moves thereover and the second operated switch being opened by the leading edge of the box blank and remaining open while the box blank moves thereover; the tape feeding and applying apparatus being energized while the leading edge of the box blank moves from the operating member for the first switch to the operating member for the second switch and being de-energized when the leading edge of the box blank engages the operator for the second switch.

4. In a taping machine for applying tape to the seam of a folded box blank, means for moving the box blank through the machine, tape feeding and applying apparatus for applying the leading edge of the tape to the leading edge of the seam, tape cutting apparatus for cutting the tape after a length thereof equal to the length of the seam. has been drawn from the tape feeding and applying apparatus; said tape feeding and applying apparatus being electrically controlled; switch means operable by the passage of the box blank through the machine for successively energizing and de-energizing a first solenoid, the armature of said first solenoid controlling the operation of said tape feeding and applying apparatus; said switch means comprising a pair of switches in series and operating members therefor, said operating members being aligned longitudinally and positioned to be moved by the leading edge of the box blank, the switch rst operated by the leading edge of the box blank being normally open and the switch operated next by the leading edge of the box blank being normally closed; the first operated switch being closed by the leading edge of the box blank and remaining closed as the box blank moves thereover and the second operated switch being opened by the leading edge of the boX blank and remaining open while the box blankmoves thereover; the tape feeding and applying apparatus being energized while the leading edge of the box blank moves from the operating member for the rst switch to the operating member for the second switch and being deenergized when the leading edge of the box blank engages the operator for the second switch; said tape feeding and applying apparatus remaining cle-energized while the box blank passes thereover.

5. In a taping machine for applying tape to the seam of a folded box blank, means for moving the box blank through the machine, tape feeding and applying apparatus for applying the leading edge of the tape to the leading edge of the seam, tape cutting apparatus for cutting the tape after a length thereof equal to the length of the seam has been drawn from the tape feeding and applying apparatus; said tape feeding and applying apparatus being electrically controlled; switch means operable by the passage of the box blank through the machine for successively energizing and de-energizing a iirst solenoid, the armature of said first solenoid controlling the operation of said tape feeding and applying apparatus; said switch means comprising a pair of switches in series and operating members therefor, said operating members being aligned longitudinally and positioned to be moved by the leading edge of the box blank, the switch rst operated by the leading edge of the box blank being normally open and the switch operated next by the leading edge of the box blank being normally closed; the rst operated switchv being closed by the leading edge of the box blank and remaining closed as the box blank moves thereover and the second operated switch being opened by the leading edge of the box blank and remaining open while the box blank moves thereover; the tape feeding and applying apparatus being energized while the leading edge of the box blank moves from the operating member for the rst switch to the operating member for the second switch and being de-energized when the leading edge of the box blank engages the operator for the second switch; said tape feeding and applying apparatus remaining de-energized while the box blank passes thereover; said switches being longitudinally adjustable along the path of movement of the box blank.

6. In a taping machine for applying tape to the seam of a folded box blank, means for moving the box blank through the machine, tape feeding and applying apparatus for applying the leading edge of the tape to the leading edge of the seam, tape cutting apparatus for cutting the tape after a length thereof equal to the length of the seam has been drawn from the tape feeding and applying apparatus; said tape feeding and applying apparatus being electrically controlled; switch means operable by the passage of the box blank through the machine for successively energizing and de-energizing a first solenoid, the armature of said first solenoid controlling the operation of said tape feeding and applying apparatus; said switch means comprising a pair of switches in series and operating members therefor, said operating members being aligned longitudinally and positioned to be moved by the leading edge of the box blank, the switch rst operated by the leading edge of the box blank being normally open and the switch operated next by the leading edge of the box blank being normally closed; the first operated switch being closed by the leading edge of the box blank and remaining closed as the box blank moves thereover and the second operated switch being opened by the leading edge of the box blank and remaining open while the box blank moves thereover; the tape feeding and applying apparatus being energized while the leading edge of the box blank moves from the operating member for the first switch to the operating member for the second switch and being deenergized when the leading edge of the box blank engages the operator for the second switch; said tape feeding and applying apparatus remaining rie-energized while the box blank passes thereover; said switches being longitudinally adjustable with respect to each other along the path il of movement of the box blank to control the length of the tape fed out by the tape feeding and applying apparatus.

7. In a taping machine for applying tape to the seam of a folded box blank, means for moving the box blank through the machine, tape feeding and applying apparatus for applying the leading edge of the tape to the leading edge of the seam, tape cutting apparatus for cutting the tape after a length thereof equal to the length of the seam has been drawn from the tape feeding and applying apparatus; said tape feeding and applying apparatus being electrically controlled; switch means operable by the passage of the box blank through the machine for successively energizing and de-energizing a first solenoid, the armature of said first solenoid controlling the operation of said tape feeding and applying apparatus; said switch means comprising a pair of switches in series and operating members therefor, said operating members being aligned longitudinally and position to be moved by the leading edge of the box blank, the switch first operated by the leading edge of the box blank being normally open and the switch operated next by the leading edge of the box blank being normally closed; the first operated switoh being closed by the leading edge of the box blank and remaining closed as the box blank moves thereover and the second operated switch being opened by the leading edge of the box blank and remaining open while the box blank moves thereover; the tape feeding and applying apparatus being energized while the leading edge of the box blank moves from the operating member for the rst switch to the operating member for the second switch and being deenergized when the leading edge of the box-blank engages the operator for the second switch; said tape feeding and applying apparatus remaining cle-energized while the box blank passes thereover; said switches being longitudinally adjustable with respect to each other along the path of movement of the box blank to control the length of the tape fed out by the tape feeding and applying apparatus; said switches being also simultaneously adjustable longitudinally.

8. In a taping machine for applying tape to the seam of a folded lbox blank, means for moving the box blank through the machine, tape feeding and applying apparatus for applying the leading edge of the tape to the leading edge of the seam, tape cutting apparatus for cutting the tape after a length thereof equal to the length of the seam has been drawn from the tape feeding and applying apparatus; said tape cutting apparatus being electrically controlled; switch means operable by the passage of the box blank leading edge through the machine for successively energizing and de-energizing said tape cutting apparatus; said switch means comprising a pair of switches in electrical parallel and operating members therefor arranged longitudinally along the path of movement of the box blank to be moved thereby as it passes thereover; the first switch to be operated by the box blank being normally closed and second being normally open; said box blank as it passes thereover causing the first switch to open and the second to close; said rst switch closing as the trailing edge of the box blank leaves the operator therefor to energize the tape cutting apparatus.

9. In a taping machine for applying tape to the seam of a folded box blank, means for moving the box blank through the machine, tape feeding and applying apparatus for applying the leading edge of the tape to the leading edge of the seam, tape cutting apparatus for cutting the tape after a length thereof equal to the length of the seam has been dra-wn from the tape feeding and applying apparatus; said tape cutting apparatus being electrically controlled; switch means operable by the passage of the box blank leading edge through the machine for successively energizing and cle-energizing said tape cutting apparatus; said switch means comprising a pair of switches in electrical parallel and operating members therefor arranged longitudinally along the path of movement of the box blank to be moved thereby as it passes thereover; the first switch to be operated by the box blank being normally closed and second being normally open; said boxblank as it passes thereover causing the first switch to open and the second to close; said first switch closing as the trailing edge of the box blank leaves the operator therefor to energize the tape cutting apparatus; said tape cutting apparatus being de-energized when the trailing edge of the box blank leaves the operator for the second switch.

l0. In a taping machine for applying tape to the seam of a folded box blank, means for moving the box blank through the machine, tape feeding and applying apparatus for applying the leading edge of the tape to the leading edge of the seam, tape cutting apparatus for cutting the ta e after a length thereof equal to the length of the seam has been drawn from the tape feeding and applying apparatus; said tape cutting apparatus being electrically controlled; switch means operable by the passage of the box blank leading edge through the machine for successively energizing and Cle-energizing said tape cutting apparatus; said switch means comprising a pair of switches in electrical parallel and operating members therefor arranged longitudinally along the path of movement of the box blank to be moved thereby as it passes thereover; the first switch to be operated by the box blank being normally closed and second being normally open; said box blank as it passes thereover causing the rst switch to open and the second to close; said rst switch closing as the trailing edge of the box `blank leaves the operator therefor to energize the tape cutting apparatus; said tape cutting apparatus being ole-energized when the trailing edge of the box blank leaves the operator for the second switch; said switch means being longitudinally positionable in accordance with the dimensions of the box blank being taped.

CHARLES HESS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,751,390 Brust Mar! 18, 1930 2,248,74A Cohen July 8, 1941 

